Transportation system



G. G- COX.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM- APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6, I920.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

ATTORNEY. a

stares PTiE W "eaters CYRIL: Cr COX, F DENVER, COLORADO.

. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

1 Specification of Letters latent.

I Patented Nov. is, real.

Applicationfiled December 6, 1920. Serial No. 428,760.

mines, quarries, mills and other production plants in mountainouslocations. I

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a simplemechanical structure which combines separated ways for the conveyance ofmaterials to and from an elevated location, with a common element toeffect and assist the movements of the same.

Further objects of the invention will appear in the course of thefollowing description made with reference to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate an apparatus embodying my invention in the best andsimplest form at present known to me.

In the drawings in the several views of which like parts are similarlydesignated,

Figure 1 represents a partially sectional side elevation of thetransportation system in its operative position;

Fig. 2, a perspective view of one of the sections of which it iscomposed, and

Fig. 3, a perspective view of the lower end portion of the system.

Referring to the drawings by numerical reference characters, 2designates a chute preferably made up of a plurality of end-to endadjoining sections mounted in transversely disposed frames 3 which areformed to provide cross ties or sleepers 4 and 5 respectively above andbelow the chute.

Parallel rails 6 fastened on the upper cross ties are provided tosupport and guide the cars 7 of a cable-railway hereinafter to bedescribed.

The spaces above the chute between the cross-ties are preferably coveredby a flooring 8 to exclude dust and dirt and said flooring may beprovided with sliding doors, as shown at 9 in Fig. 2, to afford accessto the contents of the chute if so desired.

The cable railway hereinbefore referred to comprises an endless cable orchain 10 which is supported on sheaves or drums l2 and 13 at oppositeends of the chute.

The upper stretch of the cable passes over the floor of the chuteintermediate of the rails and is' supportedat regular intervals uponidle wheels 14 and the lower stretch of the cable passes throu 'hthechute in proxim- 1ty to the bottom sur ace thereof.

The endless carrier member is operated by a motor 15 which has a drivingconnection wlth the sheave at one end of the chute.

In the operative condition of the system the chute is placed in aninclined position to connect a mine, quarry or mill with a point oflower elevation.

The motor for the operation of the cable is mounted on a stationaryfoundation l6 and preferably within an inclosure 17 adjacent the lowerend of the chute, and the rails at the upper end of the same may beextended as shown at 18 in Fig. 1 to connect with a road or levelsurface leading to the plant.

The chute is open at its upper end to rece ve the material tobe conveyedfrom. the mine or quarry and it has at its opposite end one or morelateral outlets 19 for the discharge of the same.

In the operation of my invention the railway on top of the chute isutilized to transport building materials, machine parts and othersupplies to the elevated plant, it being understood that the carsin-which the materials are carried, are provided with the usual gripsfor their connection with the upwardly moving cable.

The product of the mine, quarry or mill is dumped into the upper end ofthe chute and aided by the downwardly moving flower stretch of thecable, is conveyed to the discharge openings at the lower end of thesame.

It will thus be seen that my invention provides in one structure, upperand lower ways for the simultaneous conveyance in opposite directions ofdifferent materials and that in combination with said structure a singlecarrying and impellent element is employed to effect the movement of thematerial along said ways.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters-Patent is:

1. In a transportation system, the combination of a conveying trough, arailway supported thereon, and an endless cable adapted for theconnection of cars moving on the railway, and passing throughthe troughfor engagement with material therein.

2. In a transportation system, the combination of an inclined conveyingtrough, a railway supported thereon, and an endless cable adapted forthe connection of cars moving on the railway, and passing downframeshaving cross ties above and below the same, and a railway supported onthe upper ties.

4. In a transportation system, the combination of a conveying trough,including in its construction superposed means for thesupport of arailway, and a railway on said means.

5. In atransportation system, the combi- 15 nation. of .an interiorlyconcave conveying trough, a railway supported thereon, and an endlesscable adapted for the connection of cars moving on. the railway, andpassing throughthe lower portion of the trough for 20 engagement withmaterial therein.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. 7 I OYRIL C. COX.

